The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Boeing an $8.6 billion contract to design, test, manufacture, and deliver 25 new F-15IA fighter jets for the Israeli Air Force, with an option for 25 additional aircraft, the Pentagon announced on December 29, 2025.
Under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, the contract covers the full lifecycle of the aircraft’s development, including design, integration, instrumentation, testing, production, and delivery, with work primarily performed in Boeing’s facilities in St. Louis, Missouri. The program is expected to run through December 31, 2035, according to the Pentagon statement.
The announcement came shortly after a meeting in Florida between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reflecting the continued strategic military cooperation between Washington and its key Middle East ally.
The F-15IA (Israel Advanced) variant is tailored to the Israeli Air Force’s specific requirements, building on Boeing’s F-15EX Eagle II platform and representing one of the most capable non-stealth fighters in service, designed for both air superiority and multi-role missions.
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The contract underscores the United States’ role as Israel’s largest arms supplier, even as pro-Palestinian and anti-war demonstrations have called for an end to U.S. military aid in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Those calls have not altered U.S. policy under either the Trump or Biden administrations.
Boeing’s stock responded modestly to the news, with a slight uptick in after-hours trading, reflecting investor focus on the company’s defense portfolio amid broader market volatility.
